The 32-year-old Jets captain and halfback's arrival in one of the world's greatest rugby league heartlands is a tribute to friendship and the power of a handshake deal with his trusted confidant Steve Johnson, the long-time chairman of the Jets.
Mbye was in the midst of one of his best seasons at Canterbury in 2016 when "the deal" was struck.
"Johnno signed me 10 years ago to a two-year contract with the Ipswich Jets. This is that deal," Mbye told AAP
"Johnno said to me at the time that I had to come back and play with Ipswich before I finished playing. When he heard I was finishing in the UK he was the first person to call.
"He said, 'do you remember that deal?' I hadn't forgotten … so here I am."
Mbye, who played three State of Origin games and 194 games in the NRL before three seasons with St Helens, is in a full-time development role as well as captaining the Hostplus Cup side.
He's already starred in a 30-0 win over Townsville Blackhawks in round one.
"I am looking forward to the season and enjoying the role," he said.
"It is a club with a very rich history with the likes of Allan Langer and all the Walters boys coming through. It is also a blue-collar region. Rugby league is a pillar of the community and the Jets joins everyone together with a common goal. It has been great to get into the community."
Mbye is a supporter of the Jets' NRL bid as they've been pushing for inclusion in the competition for almost 20 years.
"It just makes sense. Look at Sydney and the number of clubs they have there. Brisbane has just two," Mbye said.
"Ipswich is the right demographic for rugby league. We don't need to convert people. You can put a team here and you will fill the stands day one.
"North Ipswich Reserve is getting redeveloped and we have experienced guys like Steve Johnson who know the ins and outs of it and what a new side should look like. Ipswich as the 20th NRL team one day, it would brilliant."
The Jets and Gold Coast Titans have an affiliation, but Mbye is not planning an NRL comeback
"You never close the door on any opportunity but it is not something I came here to do," he said.
Not even if the battling Titans lost four halves to injury?
"Maybe I'd be the fifth," Mbye grinned.
"No, they have got plenty of young, really good quality halves down there. I'm happy to support them from the sidelines."
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